Development Economics

The MSc Development Economics is the flagship Master's programme offered by the SOAS Economics Department. It combines the two core intellectual traditions nurtured for decades in our unique Department: a pluralist approach to economics and a focus on real-world development issues. If you are interested in understanding how the global economy works, what economic challenges and opportunities countries in the Global South face, and what to do about intensifying inequalities and ecological breakdown, the MSc Development Economics is for you.

In macroeconomics, students engage with different schools of macroeconomic thought on issues like inflation, unemployment, inequality, money creation, climate change and macroeconomic policy. In microeconomics, different theoretical perspectives on issues like market failures, risk, market structures and production are compared and contrasted. In development economics, students are introduced to economic theories and policies for development through a historical, pluralist and decolonial approach. A range of optional regional modules allow students to engage with regional perspectives, based on the tradition of SOAS. In addition, gender and ecological issues are taught across both core and specialised modules.

Why study MSc Development Economics at SOAS?

• we are ranked 8th in UK for student satisfaction with teaching (Guardian League Tables 2022)
• 5th in London (Complete University Guide 2022)
• it provides rigorous and pluralist training in economics with a focus on development
• it advances a Global South perspective on real-world economic issues for a changing world
• it addresses intersecting inequalities and ecological challenges across foundational modules and optional ones
• it provides R coding and quantitative skills